Honor- That Comes From God John 5:39-44NLT
Long ago a sculptor was working on a block of stone that would stand at the top of a tall column. He carved the stone with great care, laboring long over details that he hoped would be flawless. An observer remarked that the sculptor was being foolish, spending so much time on work that would be placed so high that no one would be able to see it. “God will see it,” the sculptor replied.
“You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me! 40 Yet you refuse to come to me to receive this life. 41 “Your approval means nothing to me, 42 because I know you don’t have God’s love within you. 43 For I have come to you in my Father’s name, and you have rejected me. Yet if others come in their own name, you gladly welcome them. 44 No wonder you can’t believe! For you gladly honor each other, but you don’t care about the honor that comes from the one who alone is God.
Jesus told the Pharisees about honor that comes from God only. Hold onto this statement, “If you don’t take a stand for total truth, you’ll slowly fall into miserable failure.” If Jesus agreed to be the kind of Messiah the Jews wanted, providing miracles and food along with political and military power, He would receive honor from them.
However, Hear this, “Jesus sought only the honor of His Father!”
Many are honored for personal agendas, through job promotions, pay raises and even positions inside the church. However God’s looking for those that will honor Him, in and through everything.
Two types of honor: 1. Honor in the world comes from men and is given to men- you could call it, “the Honor game.” 2. Honor given from God means, speaking the truth at all times, taking your words seriously, never distorting the truth, or speak idle words.
This kind of honor keeps its word, and standard of integrity no matter what. It never fails, but always succeeds. Your everyday commitments of honor are required of you. New choices will arrive, regarding ethics on your job, disciplining your children, keeping your marriage strong- and it’s hard!
Again Jesus said in, John 5:39-44TM “You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want. “I’m not interested in crowd approval. And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds. I know that love, especially God’s love, is not on your working agenda. I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me. If another came, acting self-important, you would welcome him with open arms. How do you expect to get anywhere with God when you spend all your time jockeying for position with each other, ranking your rivals and ignoring God?
John 5:43TM Jesus said, I came with the authority of my Father, and you either dismiss me or avoid me. If another came, acting self-important, you would welcome him with open arms.
The Jewish historian, Josephus, records that a string of Messiah pretenders arose in the years before A.D. 70. This verse contrast the Jewish rejection of their Messiah because they did not love or know God, with their willing acceptance of charlatans.
John 5:41TM “I’m not interested in crowd approval. And do you know why? Because I know you and your crowds. I know that love, especially God’s love, is not on your working agenda.
* Three key ingredients to remember, if you decide to honor God and Him only.
First, comes with a question, “Is God’s love on your working agenda? Do you want to please God?”
1 Peter 2:12NLT Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
* Secondly, God is faithful to honor you when you act honorably.
Psalm 15:4NLT...But he honors those who fear the Lord; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
Over 25 years ago, I came into the Liberty National Life Ins. office in Rome, Ga. with over 50,000 dollars worth of annual income for the company in just three days. That same day, I was called into a board room and was asked to work that hard every Wednesday night. If not, sign here, for my termination. (Over two years wages at the table for me) I told them my priority was at my church on Wednesday nights, so I signed the paper, it thrust me into my first staff position in a large church.
Guts, humility, love God first and foremost!
* Finally, the world today hungers to see honor, and they’re watching.
Jesus said in Mark 10:31NLT But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
Sadly, I’ve been around other pastor’s buying some item, when all the sudden one minister will say, “Do you give ministers discounts?” I want to club him in the head!
What are the benefits of honor? Peace of mind, rest, true to God and yourself, but most honor in heaven.
I want to see honor, the world desires to see honor, but mostly, “God wants to see men and women live a life of honor!”
Benediction.
